Anambra Pays Out 1.5 Billion Naira For 2012 Gratuities And Pensions

Governor Peter Obi has cleared the 2012 gratuity of retired Local Government workers totally over 1.5 billion naira. Governor Obi presented the cheque to the benefitting pensioners and next of kin of deceased pensioners at the Women Development Centre, Awka.

Shortly before the presentation, Governor Obi said that his administration had sustained prompt payment of pensions and gratuity because of prudent and skillful management of available resources and recalled that his administration liquidated areas of pension and gratuity accumulated by successive pension administration since 1996.

He explained that government introduced a new innovation of paying the beneficiaries simultaneously through electronic payment. He enjoined the pensioners to remain part of the efforts to rebuild the State by insisting that future administration continue to build on strong foundation already laid.

The Governor made clear that pension and gratuity are rights and not privileges of every worker, stressing that it is a crime to own pensioners. Governor Obi said the State had remained on a broad financial footing without borrowing or owing anybody and can pay three months salary and pension without federal allocation.

The Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Mrs. Azuka Enemuo said Governor Obi's administration had put smiles on the faces of those who served meritoriously to give them succor. Mrs. Enemuo noted that the Governor has increased the socio-economic capacity of the people by ensuring development in all spares and sub-sectors.

In their separate speeches, the Transition Committee Chairman Nnewi South, Mr. Chieloka Okoye and Orumba North counterpart, Mr. Emeka Aforka said the Governor had continued to set pace for others and set standard future administration would aspire to, as well as entrench prudence and transformation in governance.

Some of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Christian Igwilo, Mr. Obiakor Ogugua and Lady Josephine Ilokunolu said the Governor had touched many lives, and brought a new order to the State.